Ironman St. George - Utah - TriathlonFull Ironman

178/287 62% of the age group. I thought we would have more than enough time and end up sitting around. That did not happen. The porta potty line was about 20 minutes or more and we barely got our wet suits on and we were headed into the top of the ramp when the gun went off. Really wanted to get right up there and battle it out in the swim, maybe draft off some better swimmers. There were probably only a couple dozen people that got in the water behind me. It was cool that I started with my friend Sam. I did feel great and thought my swim time was going to be much quicker. I guess it was because there were constantly people to pass. I was debating whether to get in the water early and get used to the water temp or get in at the last minute. Didn't have to worry about that.

Porta potty then bike set up and get the wet suit on. I need a swim coach. Even if I was in the water and going with everyone I still would not have gotten the 1:15 that I wanted. With coaching and the right training I know I can go much faster than that.

Good transition. I do need to practice this a bit. The dry shirt and the arm warmers were a good idea but hard to get on while wet.

Towel off just a little.

114/287 39.7% of the age group. Kept thinking over and over again "be conservative on the bike" which I did. The only place I really blasted was across the top of the loop. The downhills were fun the first time around and scary fast the second time especially with the cross wind building late in the day. Did not have a potty break the entire bike, the every other aid station for Gatorade was just right for these conditions.

I could have probably gone a little harder on the bike but I would not have had the run I had if I did.

Good transition especially considering the potty break during.

93/287 32.4% of the age group. Great run! I am not sure what my time was for the Honolulu marathon 22 years ago but I think this was my personal best. (out of three marathons) Kind of sad I know. I was very happy to be able to beat my Florida Ironman marathon time on this course. BTW if I would have had the chance to drive the run course also I may have stayed in bed Saturday morning. My nutrition plan on the run kind of went out the window. I did take a gel about every three aid stations but it was more like, "well what haven't I had for awhile" I sucked down as much cola as I could stand and even ate the mocha gels the handed me (I do not drink coffee, gross!) not remembering that I carried two gels with me all day and finished with them. Hard to believe my time considering I walked through 90% of the aid stations and walked every big up hill.

ya right!


After Ironman Florida 2008 my main focus was improving my overall fitness. I was stronger and leaner by about ten pounds for this race. I am far from satisfied by my overall fitness especially my core. It is back to the basics with much more core exercise. It will be quite a while before another Ironman and I truly want to be able to say that I am in the best shape of my life when I race again. I could have biked faster but many people would classify a successful Ironman by the ability to say that. So I will just be happy with my race.


96/287 33.4% of the age group overall. Only need to shave off a little over two hours and I am Kona bound. Ya right! My A goal was 11:50. Just looking at the course online I knew that was not going to happen. B goal was top half of the age group and I hit the top third! Yes! This was a great race with great support and a really tough, challenging course. We raced in perfect conditions 69 degrees and very little wind. The average for that day is 82 and the wind the day before and the day after was terrible. The odds of having the day we had are slim to none. It may happen once every ten years. I won't say that I will not race this Ironman again but it will take several of my friends wanting to do it.